Knob and Tube: Estimate, TOO MUCH?

Hi,
I live in a 1924 house in Portland, OR. We are having a renovation done upstairs in our attic. The contractor has pulled out everything down to the studs and found that we have knob and tube wiring upstairs. This is the only place where we have it. The rest of our house downstairs (1st floor and basement) have been rewired. The 1st bid we got from an electrician was $5200....which seems hugely excessive from the other things I've read on this Web site and others. The space is only about 300 sq ft.

I've asked for 2 more bids so we'll see what happens. My contractor says he doesn't make any money on this deal b/c we pay the electrician directly, but isn't there some kind of a cut for him?

Thanks for the help.
M

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Comaring prices over the internet is less than an accurate science. That being said, I would agree that the price you got is excessive. Maybe $2000 tops for only 300sq/ft with open framing.
Is there a lot of snaking involved from the basement?
Do you want a lot of recessed lighting?
Is this guy REAL busy?

Typically when the customer pays a sub-contractor directly there is no kickback to the GC, except maybe a bottle at Christmas time. :p
If a GC asked me for one in a case like this, I'd walk.

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